The next time you're heading out and starting the car, think about your local library. Easy to overlook, your modern library might offer money and travel savings on DVD rentals, magazines, kid-friendly movie screenings, and, not for nothing, an air conditioned workspace.

The Consumerist points to a good post on Serendipity's Guide to Saving blog, where some obvious (books, magazines) and not-so-obvious (productivity-friendly computer time, CD/DVDs, hobby classes) benefits can be found. It's a nice bit of advanced common sense about a resource you're already indirectly paying for. CDs, for instance, can seem like something you've gone beyond needing, but as the author points out, you're usually done with an album after a week or two—just about the time you'd need to return it.

Hit the full post for more thought-provoking library ideas, check out our 13 book hacks for the library crowd, and keep in mind that, when coffee shops are crowded and noisy, many libraries offer quiet spaces with free Wi-Fi to actually get things done away from the home or office.